Author
Topic: Eczema by Ben Fuchs (Read 4467 times)

One of the most interesting aspects of the cells that make up the surface of the skin is their multi functionality. While mostly known for their protective barrier properties the living beings, colloquially known as “skin cells” and more technically as “keratinocytes” (in honor of their most prolific extrusion, the fingernail like protein called keratin) are much more than a cellular shield, they are biochemical dynamos, each one producing and secreting and ultimately becoming a wide range of very functional chemicals.

For one thing they make vitamin D, they produce prodigious quantities of skin fats (lipids) and they are also the source of many hormone chemicals. Some like cortisol are involved in obvious skin functions like protection, others like the nervous systems serotonin and dopamine making the skin a type of brain appendage as well as pheromones which is involved in less obvious skin functions like signaling, sexual attraction and fertility.

One of the less apparent roles of keratinocytes involves the production of inflammatory chemicals known as prostaglandins and cytokines. Although these chemicals are supposed help keep local invaders sequestered, they can be produced and activated in a less specific way by systemic immune responses to foods or even ingested substances. When this occurs, regulation and control of skin cell production and development can be impaired. They can cause cells to grow in messed up, chaotic, out of control fashion and this is at least partially the genesis of many skin health issues including acne and psoriasis.

One of the more troubling inflammatory skin health issues is eczema, an itchy, unpleasant condition that affects tens of millions of people worldwide. Here in the USA, a substantial proportion of the population suffers from the uncomfortable and sometimes unattractive symptoms of eczema; according to the American Eczema Association. One out of ten or nearly 32 million people have the disease, which is characterized by defects in the development of the skin surface barrier. It’s most notably caused by the inflammation associated with the secretion of defensive prostaglandins and cytokines, stimulated by perceived threats; whether introduced to the skin internally, from the food toxicity and digestive difficulties, via the blood or occasionally by topical contact.

Although eczema has been recognized a skin disease for millennia, (ancient Egyptian recommendations recorded on papyrus suggest honey salves as a treatment), the medical model remains so mystified by how to address it that most modern treatments available today (typically steroid creams) haven’t substantially changed in decades.

The inflammatory aspect of eczema makes it a classic type defensive skin disease. Inflammation is the calling card of the immune system and eczematous skin is a sign that the body is protecting itself. This protective response is what we call inflammation and it affects how skin cells grow and ultimately how surface barrier is formed. The end result is the raw, rashy, symptomology of eczema.

While the dermatologist strategy for dealing with the distress and discomfort involve suppression of the defenses with steroid creams and ointments, at best this can only give temporary and symptomatic relief. The most effective intelligent and non-medical way to address eczema is to eliminate the stimulus of the defensive response by first asking the logical question: what is the offending agent? Food and digestion are almost always involved and yes, gluten is a possible suspect. But, there's no way of knowing what you are reacting to without linking flare-ups and digestive symptoms like gas, constipation, heart burn in addition to skin flare-ups to specific foods.

Nutritional supplements can be helpful too. Essential fatty acids, fatty vitamins, especially A, (20, 000 iu daily), D (5000 iu daily), lots of sunshine exposure and minerals like zinc picolinate (50mg daily) and selenium Monomethionine or chelate (400 mcg daily) can be helpful too. I hope that helps. Also, it’s important to keep in mind: It's not just what you "take”, it's also what you absorb, and digestive distress and malabsorbtion (especially fat malabsorbtion) often accompany eczema as well as other skin conditions.

Dear Dr. Ben,My name is Bob Smilie. I was the last caller on your show today. I just wanted to give you my history before I call back in for your show on Thursday morning.I had my first bad episode of arthritis 1 ½ years ago and I believe I was just starting the Atkins diet. I had a minor episode about 3 years ago and just thought I jammed my wrist.I'm 48 years old. I weighed 280 lbs 61 days ago. I am now 214 lbs with a loss of 66lbs.61 days ago I started a very successful 60 day juice only fast.Breakfast was always grapefruit, lemon, orange, pinapple and carrots.The rest of the day I usually did 2 Mean Green juices of kale, cucumber, celery, lemon with rind and an apple.About every 3 days I would add a different juice or two.8 Days into the fast I had a severe attack of arthritis.With my first doctor I tried an ozone and vitamin B shot. It didn't work.It was on and off with flare ups during my juicing. Mainly a steady low grade ache in my wrist and would move to different areas in my wrist and sometime fingers.I was referred to a hand specialist and he put a steroid shot into my wrist. The lab work said my uric acid was an 8 which he said was the high end of normal. Then he referred me to a rheumatoid arthritis doctor.The Rheumatologist upon the first visit said with having psoriasis in 8th grade, a few pits in my finger nails and only one wrist with a flare up, he prematurely diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis. He tried hard to persuade me to take methotrexate, indomethacine75mg, omeprazole 20 mg and a topical voltaren gel. I refused the chemo drug and accepted the rest. I dosed them for 2 weeks and then took myself off them Tuesday and went and had my 2nd visit with my new doctor. I had the doctor try me on 800mg of ibuprofin and nothing else. I did that dosage one time Wednesday and started searching for a natural way to win this battle. My xray and lab results shows me to have rhuematoid arthritis. Blood work was a 216. The doctor seemed to believe the ibuprofin will fail and that I will be on the original 4 drugs he tried to prescribe. This will disqualify me from driving a semi. I will be on disability for the rest of my life. My pain still exists at a level 3 on a scale of 10.This is not what I want. I need to support my wife and children. I need to be productive and be alive. I need your help. So I will be calling back at the start of your show.Thank you for your consideration,Bob SmilieDuncanville, TX